ALBAWABA - The release of an AI-generated video on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official Instagram account has sparked considerable discussion. The video features Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump on a U.S. B-2 stealth bomber, an aircraft historically linked to deep-strike missions targeting Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Netanyahu's office acknowledged the video was AI-generated, but offered no further details about its intended political implications or strategic purpose. The B-2, a cutting-edge long-range bomber in the U.S. arsenal, has previously been associated with missions aimed at Iranian nuclear facilities, such as the Fordow site.
"Discriminatory and Unconstitutional": Human rights groups slam Austria's new headscarf banThe military was caught off guard.
Israeli military sources, as reported by Maariv, indicate that the video's release surprised high-ranking defense officials. The Israeli Air Force, they stressed, had not even considered the operational necessity of these planes in any internal discussions. The sources highlighted that the B-2's hefty price tag, its scarcity worldwide, and the intricate upkeep it demands render it unsuitable for Israel's needs, both in terms of acquisition and deployment.
Defense officials pointed out that Israel has shown it can carry out long-distance operations. This includes disrupting radar and air-defense systems in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Yemen, all without relying on B-2 bombers.
Iran: Netanyahu's Primary Focus
The video surfaced just days after Israel's security apparatus indicated that Netanyahu had prioritized the Iranian threat, coinciding with evaluations suggesting Tehran was intensifying its efforts to replenish its missile stockpile and military prowess after recent difficulties.
Sources speaking to Maariv indicated that Netanyahu plans to focus heavily on Iran during his forthcoming meetings in the United States. These discussions will involve Trump and high-ranking American officials, such as Jared Kushner and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
Iran's reconstruction endeavors are raising eyebrows.
Israeli military evaluations suggest that almost fifty percent of Iran's missile infrastructure and launch platforms were taken out in the recent clashes. Officials, however, indicate that Tehran is actively seeking to rebuild these capabilities, a move that is intensifying a wider arms race across the region.
Consequently, Israeli strategists are considering a range of possible futures. These include a solo Israeli strike, a joint operation with the United States, or a direct American assault akin to recent U.S. actions in Syria.
Silence from both Washington and Tehran.
So far, neither the U.S. government nor Iranian officials have commented publicly on the video or the theories about what it might mean.
